A 5.0-L air sample containing H2S at STP is treated with a catalyst to promote the reaction, H2S + O2 = H2O + S(solid). If 3.2 g of solid S was collected, what is the volume percentage of H2S in the original sample?

1 Answer
Aug 31, 2014

The concentration H₂S is 45 % (v/v).

Step 1. Write the balanced chemical equation.

2H₂S + O₂ → 2H₂O + 2S

Step 2. Convert grams of S → moles of S → moles of H₂S

3.2 g S × 1mol S32.06g S×2mol H2S2mol S = 0.0998 mol H₂S (2 significant figures + 1 guard digit)

Step 3. Use the Ideal Gas Law to calculate the volume of H₂S at STP.

PV=nRT

V=nRTP=0.0998mol×8.314kPa⋅L⋅K1mol1×273.15K100kPa = 2.27 L

Step 3. Calculate the concentration of the H₂S.

Percent by volume = volume of H2Svolume of air × 100 % = 2.27L5.0L × 100 % = 45 % (v/v)

Note: The definition of Standard Pressure was changed to 100 kPa in 1982.